Limerick Entertainment

Limerick’s nightlife is as vibrant as in any other city in Ireland. It’s somewhat gritty edge adds to the atmosphere of this up-and-coming contemporary town. Pubs and bars make up the bulk of venues, many of which host live music from home and abroad in every type of musical style imaginable. Limerick’s student population ensures that things stay lively. To find out what’s happening during your visit, pick up a free copy of the Limerick Event Guide, which can be found at pubs, restaurants and hotels all over town.
 

Nightlife

Nightlife in Limerick means heading down to one of the many authentic Irish pubs and getting right into the atmosphere. In this city, the pubs are at the centre of social life and can be found on every street, especially in the city centre. Certain pubs have a historic or literary significance, such as those associated with Frank McCourt’s novel, Angela’s Ashes, and many pubs regularly feature live music.

Some of the legendary venues in Limerick include MJ Finnegan’s, which first opened in 1776; The Locke, established in 1724 and one of the city’s oldest and most popular pubs; Vintage Club, with its wine cellar decor of barrel seats and tables, dark panelled walls and beer garden; and Matt the Thrasher, a 19th century farmer’s pub about 24kms north of Limerick and well worth the drive on a sunny summer afternoon.
 
If you want something a bit more energetic, the largest concentration of nightclubs in Limerick is in the area near Arthur’s Quay Park. Dolan’s Warehouse, the Market Night Club and the Trinity Rooms are three of the more popular venues, which guarantee an eclectic and entertaining night out.

Theatre and music

Music lovers will have a field day in Limerick. Whether you’re looking for traditional Irish music or one of the country’s latest rock bands, chances are you’ll find it at one of the many pubs in town. Dolan’s Warehouse is the venue for international bands on tour as well as the hottest local Irish bands. Wednesday nights are comedy night.

The Belltable Arts Centre is more upscale than Dolan’s, focusing on a wider variety of performing acts. Dance, theatre, film, comedy and music can all be found throughout the year at Limerick’s leading performing arts venue. The local film club screens art house movies here every Monday. The University Concert Hall is the permanent home of the Irish Chamber Orchestra. The 1,000-seat hall is also the place to see a broad programme of national and global stars, comedy shows and ballet performances.

Festivals

Barely a month passes by in Limerick without a time-honoured traditional Irish celebration or a newly created cultural festival.

• Saint Patricks Day in Limerick is one of the highlights of the year, with a massive parade through town and numerous cultural, culinary and musical events around the city (March).
• Adare Music Festival brings national and international jazz musicians to this charming medieval town. Coinciding with St Patrick’s weekend, the food and drink flows along with the music (March).
• Limerick Good Food Festival celebrates the traditional return of the harvest in Ireland. This event offers food tastings, local chef competitions and a fun pub and music crawl (June).
• Ballyhoura International Walking Festival celebrates the Irish love of rambling. The counties around Limerick have some of the most beautiful walking areas in the country and this festival aims to increase enthusiasm for the art of walking (July).
• The Irish Coffee Festival offers three days of fun, with Irish music, parades, street theatre, children’s events and a lovely fireworks display. Irish coffee was invented here in 1942, and each year, this festival crowns the new Irish Coffee Making Champion (August).